Subject:
Is there really a need for Pararescue?dirtykraut7/11/2007 2:00:12 PM

Now before you all crucify me, I'm just going to say that I respect USAF pararescue just as much, if not more so than other SOF organizations. But it seems to me that there really is no need to have 350 CSAR specialists in the event they must rescue a pilot. Also, aren't other units tasked with CSAR? Could they not do the job at least adequately enough that in the event a plane went down behind enemy lines, any SOF or even conventional unit could perform such an operation? It just doesn't seem like these guys get to do their jobs very often, and in peacetime, there is absolutely nothing for them to do. What do you guys think?

But it seems to me that there really is no need to have 350 CSAR specialists in the event they must rescue a pilot.

Pararescuemen are also organic to USAF Special Tactics units, supporting operations by Air Force CCTs and other SOF units. The Rescue units that are outside AFSOC again (IIRC) also provide air ambulance MEDEVAC services in some cases to SOF or conventional units (they were used as such during Operation Anaconda, for instance) besides their doctrinal personnel recovery mission for air crews..

Also, aren't other units tasked with CSAR? Could they not do the job at least adequately enough that in the event a plane went down behind enemy lines, any SOF or even conventional unit could perform such an operation?

I believe the USAF take the view that SEALs, SF, Ranger platoons, whoever can do CSAR. The problem is whether or not you get those assets tasked to do CSAR when push comes to shove and there are oil platforms needing seizing, strategic recon targets, direct action targets, etc etc etc. Having a dedicated organic asset means you have an dedicated asset no matter how many local sources say Osama bin Laden is hiding in their goat pen, etc.

Also, keep in mind that the pararescuemen (1T2 AFSC) are only part of the Rescue Squadrons, which also include aircraft and their crews as well, some of which are pretty uniquely kitted out specifically for SAR and CSAR work (HC-130s for instance). You could replicate their function with AFSOC birds and 160th . . . but again, saying you'll flex some MH-47s or MH-53s or whatever to support CSAR during the planning stages and actually doing it during the operational stages are often two very different things.

It just doesn't seem like these guys get to do their jobs very often

Classic aircrew-recovery CSAR? Not so much, but that's because we're currently fighting guys who don't do air defense very well at all. In other conflict scenarios, things might be quite a bit different. But, regardless, they've been doing a bunch of high-threat environment medevacs and such, though, even if we're not losing bunches of aircraft.

and in peacetime, there is absolutely nothing for them to do.

They actually had people forward deployed on a go-to-war footing to do CSAR in Saudi, Turkey, Italy and the other places UN or NATO no-fly zones were launching out of from 1991 on. They also do regular SAR support for a bunch of USAF training events, some disaster relief stuff, and their reserve component guys supplement USCG SAR capabilities in Alaska, California, New York, and Florida.

Uh, can not the same thing be said of almost ALL armed forces? I mean what does the 4th Infantry Division do during peace time or the 1st Cavalry Division? That's hardly a valid criticism of them is it?

Any accounts of instances that they were used in during the first Gulf war, or the Balkans when we lost aircraft?

There were at least a couple successful recoveries in 1st Gulf War. In the Balkans the recovery of the downed pilot of the F117 that went in was a pretty close to text book CSAR operation (though it was done by aircraft and PJs from AFSOC Special Tactics rather than Air Combat Command Rescue Squadrons).

Re Balkans: downed F-16 driver Scott O'Grady was rescued by a Marine unit practiced in TRAP and operated off Kearsarge. O'Grady was the only one who used a parachute, his rescuers arrived by helicopter.

Re Balkans: downed F-16 driver Scott O'Grady was rescued by a Marine unit practiced in TRAP and operated off Kearsarge. O'Grady was the only one who used a parachute, his rescuers arrived by helicopter.

v^2

USAF Rescue types tend to point out that the Marines made a huge deal out of getting O'Grady, full platoon locked and loaded, big foot print, etc. Recovery of the F117 pilot involved two PJs being on the ground for 40 seconds.

Like Horsesoldier said, if we were involved in a war with a country who had a nice air-defense system and a decent airforce, their op temp would probably increase dramatically. This isn't their war quite honestly (nor technically is it the SEALs war), but they are making themselves very useful doing what Horse mentioned. They will never be downsized in my opinion, even if its the best thing to do (I don't feel it is, but I see your points). They have a purpose and if the day ever comes when we need them, they will be good to go.

While the majority of the well publicized PJ missions involve pilot rescue, I think it is a little unfair to characterize them as a CSAR force. They are more accurately the "go-to" guys for high-risk and high-threat medevac missions.